McGuinty Government Supports Community Revitalization

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For Immediate Release
July 24, 2007

Restoration Of Tower To Boost Area Tourism

VANKLEEK HILL - The McGuinty government is investing in the restoration and promotion of the 175-year-old Higginson tower, Jean Marc Lalonde, MPP for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, announced today on behalf of Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

"Preserving historical structures in Ontario is essential for communities that want to attract business and tourism to their area," said Lalonde. "This initiative will help to promote the Town of Vankleek Hill, and the Township of Champlain, as a destination place for those wanting to visit a real piece of history in this part of the province."

The province will contribute $20,252 to help the Higginson Tower Restoration Committee and its partner, the Corporation of the Township of Champlain, complete the Higginson Tower Restoration Project, which will help make it safe and usable for the community and for visitors.

"I would like to thank the Ontario government for its support of the Higginson Tower restoration and site upgrades," said Louise Sproule, co-chair of the committee. "The funding announced today will assist with the completion of site landscaping, exterior lighting, and the installation of plaques and cobblestones to recognize donors."

This is just one more example of how, working together, Ontarians have achieved results in rural Ontario. Other examples include:

Providing an additional $70 million for the Rural Infrastructure Investment Initiative. This means a total of $140 million will be available for improvements to water systems, roads, bridge and other priorities
Providing $472 million in 2007 to rural municipalities through the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund
Recognizing innovation in the province's agriculture sector by creating the five-year, $2.5-million Premier's Awards for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence. In 2007, 55 awards totaling $425,000 were presented at events across the province.

Today's investment was made through the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program, which invests in community-based projects that support sustainable rural economies in three priority areas: improved access to health care services, revitalized communities and downtowns, and enhanced skills training.

Through the RED Program, the province has invested $33 million in 118 projects, representing a total investment of $204.6 million in rural Ontario, since 2003. The Ontario government and its partners are building strong rural communities that work better for the people who live in them.

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Contacts:
Kelly Synnott
Minister's Office
416 326-6439

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